英国酒吧遇坏人，说“暗号”就能获得帮助脱险？BBC记者暗访下，悬着的心终于死了...

BBC News-BBC secret filming shows pubs not enforcing safety scheme

Pubs, bars and clubs that have signed up for a scheme designed to protect customers who are in fear for their safety are not implementing it, a BBC undercover investigation has found.

The Ask for Angela initiative, a project in place at thousands of venues nationwide, aims to provide a discreet lifeline for people who believe they are in danger.

Those with such fears are advised to use the code word "Angela", to indicate to staff they are in need of help.

But secret filming by BBC researchers found that in more than half of the London venues they visited, including major chains, staff failed to respond to the code word. The BBC received similar reports from across the UK.

It comes as more councils make participation in the scheme key to granting alcohol licences.

Our investigation found staff at large chains including Greene King, JD Wetherspoon and Simmons were among those who did not recognise the code word.

Greene King said it was concerned about the BBC's findings and pledged to review how the scheme was communicated to its teams. JD Wetherspoon said it had successfully dealt with many examples of distressed customers using the scheme but would provide additional training if necessary. There was no response from Simmons.

The Ask for Angela initiative, which is aimed mainly at women but can be used by anyone feeling unsafe at a participating establishment, has spread from the UK to countries around the world, including Canada and the Netherlands. The scheme is named after Angela Crompton, who was murdered by her husband.

Staff receive special training to recognise the word Angela as a signal someone needs help.

Upon hearing the code word, employees are meant todiscreetly intervene, helping the person get to safety by reuniting them with friends, calling a taxi, or contacting the police if necessary.

Venues often prominently advertise their participation, putting posters and stickers throughout their premises, particularly in women's toilets, and also advertise online.

Some people say they actively seek out these establishments when arranging dates or nights out, viewing the scheme as a safety net.

One woman, who the BBC is naming only as "Kay", explained how she had arranged to meet a man for the first time.

"It was fine at first," she told the BBC. "But then the night just kept getting worse and worse."

Within minutes of sitting down together, her date began touching her inappropriately. "He started playing with my hand, and I just froze," she recounted, visibly upset. "I pulled my hand back. I put it behind my neck. And he just kept saying, 'give me your hand, give me your hand'."

As she tried to leave, his behaviour worsened. "We got up and then he grabbed me by my waist. And he slid his hand all the way down. I was scared and also just a bit shocked at what's happening because I'm like, 'leave me alone'."

Kay did not know about the Ask for Angela scheme but thinks it could have helped, and says she now seeks out venues that operate it.

Following tip-offs from women and bar staff, BBC researchers posed as a couple on a date to test venues that actively promoted their involvement.

At one establishment, our undercover female researcher approached the bar, as if in distress on a date, and asked:

 "Is there anyone called Angela working?"

"Who?" came the confused response.

"Angela."

"Er, no."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

...

'It's a real concern'

Sylvia Oates, director of Ask for Angela, said: "It's a real concern that premises have got the poster up and then if somebody asks for Angela, it's not successful."

She said high staff turnover in the hospitality industry could make consistent training challenging, but said venues had a responsibility to make sure staff were trained.

She is calling for stronger measures to ensure compliance, such as fines, and will be meeting MPs to discuss ways to strengthen the scheme.